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deeply-rooted problem in the society that was in need for healing, reflection, and

recovery in a possible attempt to lay people’s differences behind, and gain public

support for a new and upcoming movement.

Al-Bakir also claimed in his memoir that he was asked to leave Bahrain for

Lebanon by the Administration as persona non grata for four months following the

riot. The only explanation provided by Al-Bakir as to the reason behind his

departure was that he had made a number of phone calls and met with various

members of Sunni and Shi’ite communities following the riot. 148 However there are

no FO documents to be found at TNA in relation to the reason behind Al-Bakir’s

departure.

In early 1954 major developments in Egypt were taking place as a struggle

for power ensued among members of the RCC. This contest came to light following

the resignation of Naguib on 25 February 1954 in protest at his authority being

undermined by other members of the RCC. 149 In Bahrain local nationalists exerted

an effort to reconcile the broken Sunni-Shi’ite relations. Unified grievances against

foreign-owned-or-operated business establishments in Bahrain became the focal

point of their attacks. Nothing can unify conflicting parties like rallying against a

greater foreign enemy. The systematic attacks on these establishments manifested

themselves in a conflict that occurred in the premises of Bahrain’s petroleum

company.

148 Al-Bakir, From Bahrain to Exile, 40.
149 M. Naguib, Kalimaty… Lil-Tarikh [My Word… For History] (Cairo: 2011), 126-51.

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